The High School of Commerce was the venue as 486 meals were prepared and wheeled out the door for home delivery and another 300 sit-down meals were served to those seated in the high school's cafeteria.

On this weekend during which our nation pays tribute to patriots and those who founded our country 240 years ago, Army Specialist Ronald C. Hurst is remembered as a patriot, too. His is a "phenomenal story," says his older brother, Frederick A. "Rick" Hurst, of Springfield. It's also a story of what might have been, save for the twists...

While challenges to realizing educational equality remain, 2014 was a year of progress in the commonwealth as education leaders demonstrated a willingness to adopt new and innovative approaches to boost high school graduation rates, improve student performance and expand access and affordability to higher education.